Below is the text of Mr Major's written Parliamentary Answer on Artificial Limbs and Appliances on 3rd April 1987.

Mr. Alfred Morris Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations his Department has received from the Muscular Dystrophy Group of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Government's decisions on the future of the services provided by artificial limb and appliance centres; what reply has been sent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Major The Muscular Dystrophy Group of Great Britain and Northern Ireland submitted a detailed response to the McColl report on artificial limb and appliance centre services immediately following its publication. Since then, its view that the recommendation to provide dual-purpose powered wheelchairs should be implemented as a matter of urgency has been the subject of a number of letters received from local branches of the group. In addition, on 7 May 1986, my predecessor accepted a petition from Sir Richard Attenborough, the president of the group, in support of this request.

On the specific point of dual-purpose powered wheelchairs the Muscular Dystrophy Group has been advised that there are major cost considerations still to be resolved and that a final decision has not yet been made.

On the wider issue of the future of the artificial limb and appliance centre services, I refer the right hon. Member to my statement to the House on 10 March 1987 at columns 149-51.